Stormwater carries sediment and water-borne pollutants into our lakes and streams, lowering the water quality. Low-impact design reduces the environmental impacts of a built or disturbed area by reducing the amount stormwater leaving the development site. Some LID design components can be complicated and expensive, while others are easy and cheap enough for homeowners to implement themselves. Large-scale LID projects can have a big impact, but smaller scale projects can make a big difference too! The links below provide guidance for communities and developers considering large-scale LID projects, as well as handy ideas for reducing your impact around the home.

• Green Infrastructure Opportunities that Arise During Municipal Operations (EPA, 2015)
• KVCOG Presentation
• LID Fact Sheet is provided by the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine
• LID Guidance Manual
• Low-Impact Development Center provides a wealth of LID information
• Maine DEP's Stormwater Program
• Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural CommunitiesInternational City Management Association Guide Book
• Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, EPA, ICMA, Seagrant Guide Book
• UMaine Cooperative Extension provides information on maintaining water quality and has a great site devoted to their own rain garden
• U.S. Green Building Council - Maine Chapter has information on LID projects in Maine

For more information on low-impact development, or if you are an area contractor that provides LID-consistent services, contact Tom Martin at HCPC.